Field Station Frenzy Trail Run & Walk 5K

Why Join in the Frenzy?

• Fun, scenic trail run and walk inside the new national park
• Well-marked, carefully-measured course, with professional chip timing
• Long-sleeve tech shirts, custom bib numbers, finisher medals, and one-of-a-kind awards
• Costumes and crazy outfits encouraged!
• Free on-site child care provided for all participants
• Part of the Calumet Region Striders' Gold Cup Elite Series
• Support nature-based early childhood education

Schedule of Events (times subject to change)

• All Registration is Online ONLY, NO paper forms, NO payment accepted on-site
• Please check our website: Field Station Frenzy for updates to any information.
• Thursday, September 28
  • 10am-6pm- Early packet pick-up at Extra Mile Fitness Company located at 3400 Calumet, Valparaiso, IN 46383 
• Friday, September 29
  • 10am-6pm- Continued early packet pick-up at Extra Mile Fitness Company
• Sunday, October 1
  
  • 7:30 am - On-site Packet/Shirt Pickup Opens
    
  • 8:15 am - Free On-site Outdoor Child Care Opens (Dress for the weather!)
  • 8:30 am - 1K Kids Fun Run
  • 8:30 am- 2K Trail Run and Walk
  • 8:45 am - 500 m Kids Tot Trot
  • 9:00 am- 5K Trail Run & Walk
  • 10:00 am- On-site Awards Ceremony
  • 10:30 am - On-site Child Care Closes

Awards

• Medals provided for all 2K/5K finishers
• Race number and finisher ribbons for all Kiddie Run participants.
• One-of-a-Kind wooden medals for overall and age group awards
• Eligible for points in the Calumet Striders' Gold Cup & Elite Series
• On-site outdoor awards ceremony at 10:00.
• Award pick up available at Extra Mile Fitness Company from Oct 2nd until Oct 8th.
• Handmade plaques for overall winners:
  • Overall Male/Female
  • Overall Masters ( ≥ 40 yr) Male/Female
• Top 3 awards, with one-of-a-kind wooden medals, in the following categories:
  
  • Age Group Male/Female: 0-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80+
  • Athena (Female ≥ 170 lb), Clydesdale (Male ≥ 210 lb)

Registration & Fees

Note: Due to Park Service regulations we cannot accept any payment on park property (No cash, No checks, ONLY online registration using your own device)

5 km (Run or Walk)

• Normal Registration (before 11:59 pm Sat, Sept 30) - $30 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $25 without a shirt (guaranteed shirt sizes if registered before Sept 12, after you can see what sizes are still available when registering).
• Late Registration (Race Day until 9am) - $35 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $30 without shirt, not all shirt sizes may be available.  You can see what sizes are still available when registering.
• $3 Discount for members of the Calumet Region Striders, members of the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA), and participants in the XYZ Trail Run Series

2 km (Run or Walk)

• Normal Registration (before 11:59 pm Sat, Sept 30) - $30 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $25 without a shirt (guaranteed shirt sizes if registered before Sept 12, after You can see what sizes are still available when registering).
• Late Registration (Race Day until 9am) - $35 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $30 without shirt, not all shirt sizes may be available.  You can see what sizes are still available when registering.
• $3 Discount for members of the Calumet Region Striders, members of the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA), and participants in the XYZ Trail Run Series

Kiddie Fun Runs (1 km or 500 m)

• Normal Registration (Before 11:59 Sat, Sept 30)- $15 with long-sleeve tech shirt (guaranteed shirt sizes if registered before Sept 12, after you can see what size are available when registering).
• Free no shirt option
• All participants get a custom race number and a finisher ribbon.
• All Fun Run participants must register online, but registration stays open until the start of the event.

Course

The course features the scenic trails of the Indiana Dunes National Park, including portions of the Little Calumet River Trail and passes by several historic landmarks. Grass, mulch, dirt trails, and boardwalk will make up the majority of the course. This is a trail run and you should expect uneven surfaces, slippery leaves, roots, rocks, fallen branches, and other obstacles.  No strollers or pets allowed.

Click Here for Interactive Course Map with Elevations (5K only)

Directions and Parking

The run and walk will start and end near Chellberg Farm, inside the Indiana Dunes National Park.  GPS address for Chellberg Farm is 709 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304.  Please park in the grass lot to the east of Mineral Springs Rd.  The race will start and end in near the paved parking lot (on the west side of Mineral Springs Rd).

About The Field Station Cooperative Preschool

The Field Station offers nature-based preschool programs for 3-6 year olds and summer camps for preschool-age children. For more information, please visit our website at: www.FieldStation.org.  The Field Station is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.